Prairie Lights Sneak-A-Peek 5K at Lynn Creek Park: The Local’s Guide for Grand Prairie, TX
- Alison Martinez
- Sep 27
- 4 min read
Location: Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
What: 17th Annual Sneak-A-Peek 5K - your chance to run or jog through the Prairie Lights displays before the park officially opens for drive-through season.
Why Grand Prairie locals love this race
If you live in Grand Prairie, TX (or nearby Arlington, Mansfield, Cedar Hill, Irving, Dallas Fort Worth), the Prairie Lights Sneak-A-Peek 5K is a must-do holiday kickoff. You get an after-dark, twinkling-lights course along Joe Pool Lake inside Lynn Creek Park, holiday music, and a family-friendly vibe that screams “Grand Prairie community.” It’s also one of the most Instagram-friendly runs of the year thanks to tunnels, animated scenes, and the brand-new displays the city debuts for the season.
2025 at a glance (save these details)
Date & time (Run/Jog): Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Gates open: 4:30 PM
Gates close: 5:30 PM (There’s also a separate 3-mile Walk on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM.)
Address for your GPS: Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052.
Tip: follow event signage to the main entrance.
Registration & pricing: Early-bird and tiered pricing are posted on the official site each year; 2025 fees list $30 early (Jul 25–Sep 30), $35 regular (Oct 1–Oct 17), and $40 late (Oct 18–Oct 31) with a commemorative T-shirt for all participants. Check the official registration page for availability.
Official registration portal: Hosted via Race Roster for 2025; look for “17th Annual Prairie Lights Sneak-A-Peek.”
What the course feels like
Picture this: you roll into Lynn Creek Park at sunset, the lake breeze is cool, and once the horn sounds you’re winding through a glowing tunnel of lights with animated displays around every turn. This is a night run, so the lights carry the show. Expect a paved-park route with gentle rollers, photogenic spots around every quarter mile, and plenty of “wow” moments where you’ll want to slow down and snap a pic for the memory.
Local tip for Grand Prairie runners: Arrive early, grab a warm-up jog by the lake, and bring a small headlamp for pre-start staging (the course is bright from displays, but the staging areas can be darker).
Who should sign up?
First-timers & families in Grand Prairie, Arlington, Mansfield, Cedar Hill, Irving, and South Dallas who want a fun run with holiday vibes.
5K PR-chasers who still want crowd energy and a unique nighttime setting.
Local run clubs & school groups looking for a seasonal team outing (you can even create a team in Race Roster).
What you get with registration
Entry to the 5K run/jog through the lights before the drive-through season begins.
Event T-shirt (included for registered participants).
A front-row look at the newest Prairie Lights displays for 2025.
Helpful planning details for locals
Parking & arrival
Plan your route to 5610 Lake Ridge Pkwy and budget time for gate entry. Because this event happens after dark and within the display route, gate windows matter: Gates open at 4:30 PM and close at 5:30 PM for the Saturday run. Don’t cut it close.
Strollers, kids, and groups
Families are welcome, and the event typically lists child guidance on the registration page (e.g., age thresholds for registering). For 2025, children 4 and under are not required to register per the Race Roster listing; verify final details when you sign up.
Course lighting & safety
You’ll be surrounded by displays, but it’s still a night event. Consider: a compact headlamp for the start/finish area, reflective accents, and layers you can shed after mile one. Follow race-day instructions from staff and volunteers.
Make it a full Grand Prairie evening
After you finish, keep the holiday momentum going:
Drive-through Prairie Lights when the season opens (the show runs nightly from late November through December; the 2025 site lists Nov 27-Dec 31 at 6 PM). Book your drive-through night on a separate date to avoid same-evening congestion.
Grab a local bite in Grand Prairie or neighboring Arlington/Mansfield - there’s no shortage of post-run tacos, BBQ, or coffee for the ride home.
Race-week checklist
Register online and screenshot your confirmation.
Lay out your kit: running shoes, moisture-wicking layers, light gloves, Santa hat or holiday headband if that’s your style.
Lighting: small headlamp for pre-race and a phone with night-mode camera.
Timing & logistics: plan to arrive before 5:15 PM to clear the gate window.
Family plan: if you’re bringing kids or a stroller, review the notes on the registration page for any updates.
For out-of-town friends you’re inviting
Share the official Prairie Lights info so they understand how big this experience is: Prairie Lights is billed as “the premier holiday light park in Texas,” staged right here in Grand Prairie at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake.
Final word from your Grand Prairie neighbors
Whether you’re chasing a 5K personal record, wrangling the kids for a memory-making run, or just want a magical night jog under millions of lights, the Prairie Lights Sneak-A-Peek 5K is a signature Grand Prairie, Texas experience. Lace up, layer up, and we’ll see you at Lynn Creek Park, 5610 Lake Ridge Parkway, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Don’t forget to invite your friends from Arlington, Mansfield, Cedar Hill, Irving, and the rest of DFW - let’s make this the brightest run of the year.
Need Help Planning?
If you’re planning your own Thanksgiving or holiday event and want it to run smoothly, let AFTS Event Planning handle the details. From corporate wellness activations to family-friendly community gatherings, our expert event planning team will take care of everything so you can focus on enjoying the celebration. Book with AFTS today and make your next event unforgettable.
Comments